H.—3lb.

44

[t. b. inglis.

with the practitioner in charge of the case. At St. Helens 1 can perform an operation without consulting with any one, though I have the right to call in an outside practitioner. The isolation ward had not been used for some time—some weeks, probably longer —before Mrs. Chamberlain was put in. It is always cleaned after a case. I leave that matter for the Matron. I assumed that it was thoroughly disinfected after the previous case. I know it was, because I asked the Matron. 1 cannot say why it is that the notice to the Health Department was dated the 28th August and that it was only received by them apparently on the 9th September. To Mr. Mays.] To the best of my recollection 1 first saw Mr. Chamberlain on the night of the day on which she was removed to the isolation ward. He called on me at my surgery. He asked me concerning his wife. I told him i was glad to have an opportunity of discussing her case with him. I inquired as to her chest history, and I told him that in my opinion she had chest trouble. He asked me if it was consumption. I told him I thought it was an early form of that disease. I think on this occasion we had some talk on the general prospects of his wife's recovery. 1 told him it was difficult to say what the ultimate result would be. On leaving I asked him if he was satisfied with the treatment. He said he was perfectly satisfied. He did not then, repeat to me the complaints he said his wife had made to him. Had he done so I would have made inquiries at once. He called on me the next night. He asked me if Dr. Brockway had rung up. I told him he had. He said nothing about calling in Dr. Brockway. He went away saying he was perfectly satisfied. When Dr. Brockway rang me up he asked me about Mrs. Chamberlain's case. I explained the case to him as fully as I. could—the whole case up to date. He asked me what were the rules of the home as to the calling in of external medical assistance. I told him that under the rules I was empowered to get extra medical assistance when 1 required it. He said, "Does that refer to consultations," or words to that effect. I think the conversation ended there, with the exception that I told him that if he wanted to know anything further about the case I would be only too glad to let him know. I told him fully about the case, because I thought he was really asking on account of the husband. Dr. Brockway did not ask me if he could see the patient. I did not give him to understand that a patient could not nominate a practitioner to consult with me. I gave him to understand that the patient could not be attended by their own attendant. I would quite possibly have agreed to Mr. Chamberlain bringing in his own medical man to see the patient as a friend. I think it would be permitted for a patient to bring in another medical man to see her as a friend, but not as a practitioner. That has been done time after time. 1 would not have consented to Dr. Brockway visiting this patient, and to my conferring with him as to her condition. The first reason is that he is a junior practitioner to myself; secondly, he does not make a specialty of that part of the work; and from the foregoing, 1 did not think his opinion would help me at all. Chamberlain came to see me again at my surgery. He mentioned the subject of consultation. He asked me if I. thought one was necessary. I explained to him the reason which we require for consultations. 1 told him they were required when the medical man in charge wished for further advice, and also where the relatives of the patient wished further advice. He then asked me if I wished a consultation. 1 said, " No," 1 was absolutely satisfied about his wife's condition —that is, as to what she was suffering from. I did not at that time think she would die within a few weeks. 1 thought she would recover sufficiently to leave the home. I thought she was suffering from early tuberculosis. 1 thoroughly explained to Chamberlain wdiat the condition was. Chamberlain asked me whether I would like Dr. Brockway to see her with me in consultation. I think he put it that way. I replied that if we had a consultation 1 would prefer either a specialist or a senior member of the profession. Nothing whatever was said about the British Medical Association. 1 am sure of this. I deny saying anything about the British Medical Association. I have never refused to consult with a man on the score that he was not a member of the British Medical Association. I mentioned the names of some men whom I would be willing to meet in consultation. 1 mentioned Drs. Lindsay, Bull, and Robertson. Chamberlain then asked me did I really think a. consultation was necessary. 1 told him that directly I thought a consultation necessary I would get a consultant. Chamberlain did not say that Dr. Brockway was his family doctor. He said he was quite satisfied to leave the case in my hands. I toid Chamberlain my qualifications, and some of the results of my work. I heard Chamberlain's evidence. As to the material parts thereof I distinctly deny it. [Further evidence deferred, pending taking the depositions of Mrs. Bryant.] Hilda Bryant (called by Mrs. Nicol), on her oath, saith. I am the wife of Alfred Bryant, timber-worker. I have known Mrs. Allen for about twelve months. I went to St. Helens to bring her home with her last baby. As soon as we got home I examined the baby. It was absolutely raw. The Matron gave Mrs. Allen instructions as to what to do with the baby when she was leaving St. Helens. She told her to mix up Fuller's earth to a paste and apply it to the baby every time she changed it. She told her also to bring the baby back and let her see it in two or three days. This was on a Thursday. Mrs. Allen went to St. Helens again on the following Monday. I went with her. I saw the Matron. She answered the door. She took the baby upstairs while she left us sitting in the hall. When the Matron brought the baby down she said she recommended Mrs. Allen to take the baby to the chemist, and then if it got on no better to take it to a doctor. She recommended Dr. Sweet as a good doctor. When Mrs. Allen left the Hospital the Matron said nothing as to going to a doctor about the weaning of the baby. 1 lent Mrs. Allen some money, and we went with the baby to Eccles, chemist. Gross-examined.] We went to Eccles's shop at corner of Wellington Street. He gave Mrs. Allen something in a bottle—to be taken. lam sure it was the Matron I saw on both occasions.